News and Stories

PHYSICAL THERAPY FACULTY MEMBER JAN COY RETIRES AFTER 27 YEARSJan Coy, PT, DPT, MA is retiring after 27 years as Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy Education at Upstate. An accomplished educator with a passion for promoting a deep understanding of the scientific rationale for neurologic physical therapy practice, Dr. Coy is known for her creativity in the classroom and her student-centered approach to learning. Her ongoing clinical practice using the Feldenkrais method reflects her deep understanding of the science of human movement and its application to optimal motor learning. She is respected by both academic and clinical faculty and most notably by the many students that she has instructed and mentored over her career.

NEW ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FOR CLINICAL LAB SCIENCES HONORS O'LEARYSUpon the retirement of Dr. Colleen E. O’Leary, the Upstate Foundation, Upstate Department of Anesthesiology, and Upstate Administration have established the Colleen E. O’Leary, MD, and Michael R. O’Leary, MD, Endowed Scholarship for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Dr. Colleen O’Leary has served Upstate Medical University in numerous roles, including interim medical director and president of the medical staff at Upstate University Hospital; interim chair, Department of Anesthesiology; and member of the Upstate Foundation board of directors. Along with her husband, Dr. Michael O'Leary, she has been involved in many community-based philanthropic initiatives.

Each year medical laboratories across the country perform more than 7 billion tests and must hire 12,000 employees to keep up with the growing volume of tests ordered by physicians. However, only 5,000 lab professionals graduate annually.

The new scholarship will help Upstate’s College of Health Professions continue to attract the finest candidates for its Clinical Lab Sciences program to help alleviate this critical shortage. The CLS program celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015 and averages 18 graduates each year.

In addition, the Upstate Foundation and Upstate Administration established the Colleen O'Leary, MD, Endowed Scholarship in 2008 to support a scholarship at the College of Nursing. The O’Learys created the Alfred F. and Shirley D. Enwright Endowed Scholarship at the Upstate Medical Alumni Association.

Angona is the chief perfusionist at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and serves as a voluntary clinical instructor for Upstate’s Cardiovascular Perfusion program. The U of R Medical Center has become one of the most sought-after clinical affiliates for Upstate because of his gifted teaching and mentoring. Angona is an exemplary example of a lifelong learner in a technologic career that is ever changing, and many of his students are now leaders in the field. He has authored several peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations and is active in professional organizations, including AmSECT. Neville is an innovative educator with unparalleled expertise in acute care physical therapy, especially in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation. He has been on the PT faculty for more than 12 years. Graduates of the program score well above the national mean on the cardiopulmonary portion of the licensing exam. He adopted use early on of a sophisticated simulation mannequin that increases student engagement and practice skills. He serves on a range of academic committees, chairing the CHP Academic Affairs Committee, and organizes recruitment events on campus with local schools. He is a prolific author and holds several professional memberships. With his MS degree in PT from Columbia University, Neville is nearing completion of a DPT degree from Upstate.

SUNY TRUSTEES APPROVE DANIELLE LARAQUE-ARENA, M.D., FAAP, AS PRESIDENT OF SUNY UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY SYRACUSE, NY — The State University of New York Board of Trustees today (Sept. 10, 2015) appointed Danielle Laraque-Arena, M.D., FAAP, currently chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Maimonides Medical Center and vice president of Maimonides Infants and Children’s Hospital of Brooklyn, as president of SUNY Upstate Medical University. Laraque-Arena also currently is professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University. Laraque-Arena will be the first woman to lead the university. Her appointment is effective January 14, 2016. Read more.DONALD D. SIMPSON, PhD, MPH, NAMED DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS August 2015--The people at Upstate are a key reason why Donald D. Simpson, PhD, MPH, accepted the position as the new dean of the College of Health Professions at Upstate Medical University. “What appealed to me at Upstate is primarily the people—individuals committed to improving the lives of others; faculty and staff seeking innovative ways to deliver curriculum; and students committed to the communities they seek to serve,” he said. To read more, click here.

GET YOUR ColorfulCHP T-Shirt TODAY!

Celebrate the multidisciplinary nature of patient care with a tie-dyed T-shirt. Proceeds benefit the work of the CHP Alumni Association in support of the College of Health Professions. The price of just $15 includes postage and handling. Contact the Health Professions Alumni Office at (315) 464-4416 or chpalum@upstate.edu or visit us in the CAB - Room 326.

With Distinction blog features Upstate students

Upstate Medical University students do great things on campus, down the street and around the world. They raise money for a fellow student whose home burned down, volunteer at Ronald McDonald House, give up their winter break to help at clinics and orphanages in Haiti.Our students are a wonderful blend of talents, ages, backgrounds and ethnicities.Where can you find out more about them?Check out our With Distinction blog at